How An Economic Stimulus Check or Tax Cut Affects The Middle Class

With no second stimulus check in the works for 2009 (we’re getting tax cuts instead), what should we expect from Obama’s economic plan and how will it affect the middle class?

President Obama’s proposed economic stimulus package has a little of everything for small businesses and for middle class families making less than $200,000 a year. Optimists in Washington hope the bill that amounts to approximately $800 billion dollars will pass both houses by mid-February. An important part of the proposed stimulus plan seeks to create between 3 and 5 million new jobs through tax credits for businesses who hire more people and through a major upgrading of our national infrastructure, support for struggling states, alternative fuels research, communications and so on.

No Economic Stimulus Check For 2009, So What’s In The Plan?

Apparently, those stimulus checks handed out last year did little to help the economy. It seems to have been as ineffective as pushing on a string. In fact, critics are claiming that China was the one who mainly benefited from this cash infusion as American shoppers spent their checks on electronics manufactured overseas. I find that horribly ironic, if accurate.

Still, the government wants us to spend. Though we’re not receiving actual paper checks from the government, we’re getting something fairly similar: a fairly modest tax cut.

According to a recent New York Times article, the proposal includes a tax cut, maybe lowering the tax rate from 25% to 15%, or offering a $500 $400 tax cut in payroll taxes for individuals ($1,000 $800 for families) on the first $8,100 in income. The Times says more specifically:

The money would be delivered through paychecks as a reduction in Social Security withholdings, and is intended to bolster consumer spending by giving a small lift to household pocketbooks.

Is this too little, too late? Too indirect?

I don’t know about you guys, but $500 per person doesn’t seem like much and I doubt very much that people would rush to the stores to spend that extra income. Also, the extra disposable income in our paychecks just seems so subtle — lots more subtle than highly anticipated checks that come through the mail.

How many of the middle class (having been hurt the most during these trying times by job losses, threatened foreclosures and devastated nest eggs and 401Ks) will really be intent on spending that little bit of extra income? Wouldn’t you be more inclined to put that money in safe financial instruments or prefer to use your funds to pay off credit cards and loans?

Obama’s Stimulus Plan Tackles College Education

The proposed economic recovery package includes new tax breaks for college tuition and first time home buyers, and an array of tax incentives to encourage renewable energy production.

Specifically, the proposed stimulus bill would give a tax deduction of $2,500 for college tuition and $7,500 tax credit for first time home buyers, with certain restrictions on eligibility. In my opinion, the proposed college tuition assistance fails to recognize the middle class hardships, additional evidence that politicians in Washington are completely out of touch with real life.

Why not simply pay for the tuition entirely based on individual merits? Let’s reward those low-income students who truly want to earn their way to college with full scholarships, with the pre-agreed condition that they will work to benefit their communities for at least 2 years after graduating.

Windy Investments and The Middle Class

The additional components in the proposed bill by Democrats target one of Obama’s favorite goals: renewable energy production, such as wind, biomass, hydropower, solar, geothermal, and other promising areas. Would it make sense, therefore, to consider these as potential areas for personal investment?

Here’s how this may affect the typical family: let’s recall for a moment, my recommendation that now is the time to buy stocks if you have some available cash. We can’t know for sure when we’ll be scraping that stock market bottom, but what we do know is that current prices will be considered low at some point in the future.

In my opinion, it would therefore be sensible to invest in industries in the renewable energy market as they will benefit the most from Washington’s largesse in the coming years. There is little doubt that Obama’s concerns with clean and renewable energy will be supported by both parties in Congress, given that we want to stop our dependency on foreign fuels. The billions we spend on oil can be better used elsewhere (I can think of many other uses). With our raised sensitivity to and greater awareness of environmental concerns (e.g. global warming), you can bet this is a top priority for our leaders.

Hello Washington, Is Anyone Listening?

As politicians are busy finding ways to increase the national deficit, I hope that some of us ordinary citizens decide to grasp the opportunity to let our leaders know what we really want with our government’s money (find your senator here or your representative here). Tell them about your personal experiences and pass them your suggestions. Hopefully, their well-paid aides will read your message and maybe, just maybe, your elected official will hear you out and propose better uses for all that money.

Well, the plan seems to be sound but you know how it is, every plan sounds great in the initial stage. Remember, it has to go through both the houses yet, with congress debating on the finer points of the plan. It will see some changes but yes, I do think that Obama will be able to get his plan through.

Will it do the trick? Nope, I do not think that it is fair on our part to expect Obama to wave a magic wand and make it all seem okay. Unfortunately, our economy is in recession and it is going to take some time before the bear goes back into hibernation.

But Obama’s plan is a positive step in the right direction, given what you had mentioned on the consumers spending their money shopping and with the main beneficiary turning out to be China, perhaps it is not a bad idea to set the initial relief to $500 per person. Maybe, in the next few months, we can expect more tax cuts, regulated market prices for the housing market, low interest consumer loans and more of the same. Let’s hope for the best!

I certainly hate to be in the shoes of our politicians — I’m not quite sure whether the idea of giving you a bigger pay check (via the tax cut) is going to make a big dent. At least in my experience, I’d automatically whisk that money away into some savings vehicle.

I figure that a physical check may make the money seem more “tangible” and may appear more readily earmarked for spending. I’m guessing here, but I would think that if you want people to spend, a check may just work better than a tax cut (for psychological reasons). But I could be wrong.

At any rate, I can’t imagine a more difficult conundrum to face, and I don’t envy Obama one bit. May it all work out in the end!

Jacques SprengerJanuary 24, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Well, Ray, even if $500 isn’t going to make the economy resuscitate (not even with a magic check as SVB suggests), it’s going to be the combination of these measures that will stop the slide downward (is there a slide upward??). The main target should be housing and foreclosures and I believe that Obama will use some of that money to do just that. Once real estate is stabilized, it will automatically stabilize the banks and the economy (I hope). Maybe we should email the whole website to Obama’s economic team:))

ManshuJanuary 24, 2009 at 5:23 pm

Quite interesting. I view windfalls in exactly the opposite light. A windfall is to be saved and an income increase (tax cut) creates a sort of feeling of increased income. With increased income – comes increased savings!

JVG ConsultJanuary 25, 2009 at 1:20 pm

Makes sense. So what energy company in particular would you recommend? Just wondering how Social Security taxes can be cut when we’ve heard so much about the trouble Social Security is in.

richerandslimmer.comJanuary 25, 2009 at 5:30 pm

I whole-heartedly agree with you when you say “extra disposable income in our paychecks just seems so subtle — lots more subtle than highly anticipated checks that come through the mail.”
They have overlooked the fact that people eagerly anticipate getting checks (for example, their tax refunds) and plan how to spend these checks days/weeks in advance. There is a higher chance of getting people to spend if the stimulus is paid out in checks, or better yet, in debit cards.

SimplyFortiesJanuary 25, 2009 at 5:31 pm

I’d rather they keep that $500 and plow it into our national debt or wherever it is most needed. It’s not really enough to make a difference in my life but I read somewhere that it added up to over $2 Billion in tax cuts. Keep it!

Kristy @ Master Your CardJanuary 25, 2009 at 10:36 pm

I don’t think the tax cut or the paper checks will make much of a difference either way. In either case, the natural inclination in these times is to save it, which is what most of us did. The rest spent it on products that benefited foreign countries – go figure. I’m with SimplyForties, I think the money would be put to better use somewhere else.

I do like the part about increasing jobs, though. The trouble is, even with the tax breaks, those jobs will only go for as long as the business can make money. Unless we see some real changes in consumer confidence, dumping money into businesses via tax credits may not have the desired effect. Whatever happened to the plan to put money into infrastructure?

As for the college tuition bit, I don’t really think that’s very beneficial to the families struggling to pay the tuition upfront. I like your suggestion SVB, and maybe we’ll see an increase in scholarship opportunities or even cheaper loan rates…but I’m not holding my breath.

I don’t envy Obama’s situation in the least!

dean graziosi real estateJanuary 26, 2009 at 9:12 am

Thanks for the great article here. I would have to agree that the last stimulus check really didn’t do much for our economy. I think it is a great idea to use it to lower taxes on the middle class. Thanks for the informational post.

zingtrialJanuary 26, 2009 at 11:53 am

The rising economic performance of the world economy is really one sided when we consider the present global challenges as follows:

* Introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western European countries in January 1999 has posed economic risks because of varying levels of income, cultural and political differences among the participating nations of the world.
* The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 are a matter of concern to the global economy.
* The opening of war in March 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq added new uncertainties to global economic prospects.

TravisJanuary 26, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Does it matter if we get a $500 check or $10 in additional funds on each of our paychecks for the year, neither is gonna matter imho. At least with the $500 check people struggling could get caught up on bills.

I hope Obama’s package will create millions of new jobs. It seems that the unemployment rate is one of the big factors in the tumbling economy. I live in TN and most people can’t draw enough on unemployment to pay their bills. It truly is sad.

I realize that we’ve had a lot to do with this, as we’ve overspent and under saved. But it seems like someone should’ve stepped in and done something a long time ago before it got this bad.

CraigJanuary 26, 2009 at 2:29 pm

Agree, don’t see how this will help out either. It’s too small an amount for people to realize any added income and it’s spread out over time, so people won’t go out spending more because of it. Granted I wouldn’t mind an extra $500, but not sure if this is the answer either.

KarenJanuary 26, 2009 at 8:25 pm

I think I’d be likely to spend the $500 on investing in my small business. I read something interesting about the jobs creation program – that the big public projects on infrastructure will create many jobs that are usually mostly filled by males, such as construction & outdoor manual labor. And so that many of these programs will not help poor or struggling women very much.

Start-UpJanuary 27, 2009 at 3:23 pm

I can’t claim to be an expert on recession recovery or the merit’s of Obama’s plan, but I do know that if his plan doesn’t turn things around in 4 years he won’t get another shot.

If the economic stimulus checks didn’t work, why would a tax cut work instead? Doesn’t it provide the same end result as a stimulus check? Wouldn’t it be just a stimulus tax cut?

It seems like this plan calls for tax cuts and spending money. Where are the funds going to come from to cover this plan?

I don’t know the answers to these questions, just food for thought.

BrianJanuary 28, 2009 at 9:27 pm

The reason people spent their last stimulus check on foreign products is simple, you can’t find many American made products any more. I would like to know why that is, or who is to blame. I have read so many things about Obama’s plan, and I honestly can’t tell if it sounds good or bad. It pretty much depends on who wrote the article ( Republican or Democrat ). Why can’t those two work together, instead of constantly getting into a rousing game of my dad can beat up your dad? Grow up politicians, your country needs you. One thing I do know is I sure won’t be stimulating the economy too much with my extra 10 dollars a paycheck I will be getting in tax cuts. Good luck Mr. President, you are going to need it.

ImnojokeJanuary 28, 2009 at 11:40 pm

So the older people get NOTHING. If we dont have small kids in school we don’t bennifet from it. The older population is expendable? Well that sucks. The older American need to eat too. they are to old to start a buisness so whats for them…

BillJanuary 29, 2009 at 10:31 am

The prescription for the economy is less about YOU and more about US. There are two main bugaboos going on here simultaneously, where “consumers” are concerned. The first is that we’re losing our jobs. For most of America, a job = spending. No job, no spending.

The second is that we’re losing our houses. No place to live + no job = really bad economy

The conundrum is this: Out-of-control spending, by both government and its individual citizens, led — or at least largely contributed — to our current state. Spending will be the only thing that gets us out.

Consumption –> down (you lost your job or you took a pay cut)
Investment (this refers to money invested by business into business activities) –> down (name any Fortune 500 company that is spending MORE in 2009 than in 2008)
Net exports may never be positive again

The ONLY alternative, if you think Aggregate Demand matters (IMHO, it does), is increased government spending. “But government spending crowds out business investment.” It does, in a healthy economy. But this economy is DYING.

So, the best cure for this economy is for the government to spend MASSIVE amounts of money on the very same things that businesses should be spending their money on: Infrastructure, new technology, energy.

By investing billions into these areas, the government can create more jobs than the private sector ever could (on a one-time basis, of course). And they get a double whammy:

They get to create new technologies, new products and services, while at the same time creating millions of jobs.

They just have to do it right. And therein lies the problem. Our elected members of Congress seem really stupid, at best, if not totally corrupt and/or inept.

The real issue here isn’t giving individuals money to “go shopping.” It’s giving the unemployed and under-employed jobs where they earn money that they then spend, save, and invest.

After all, giving an unemployed guy a $40,000 a year job (pick any yearly salary, it doesn’t matter for this argument) is far superior to giving 20 of us $2,000 each. That guy will spend the majority of his new-found income on necessities (food, shelter, clothing), hopefully saving and investing a bit. Our $2,000 — it’ll go into savings (remember, banks aren’t lending money right now, so that money is effectively being put under the mattress) or we’ll buy a big-screen (more money to China, net exports decline further).

Right now, it may not feel to you that the country is hurting, but as the saying goes:

“When your neighbor loses his job, it’s a recession. When you lose yours, it’s a depression.”

Lots of people are feeling depressed right now, economically speaking. Time to set aside our petty wants and think in terms of what’s best for our country (and the world, too).

RidiculousJanuary 29, 2009 at 10:44 am

If you are going to give us a stimulus check, don’t waste our time! $500 won’t even pay my monthly rent.
I think the government should give each tax paying citizen so much money.. say like 25k. ( senior citizens on SS should be qualified too) Anyway back to my “THEORY” lol… Say the government gave each tax paying AMERICAN (legal citizen of the USA) $25k.. Before we get our cut, the government should deduct debts that anyone may have for example: outstanding debts, such as car, home, credit cards, etc. If there is any money left from the $25k then the money should be given to that person to spend on retail items to STIMULATE the economy. I don’t think the $819 billion stimulus will work. Besides where in the hell is the US getting all of this money?? Aren’t we in debt as it is? Tax payers already bailed out banks that didn’t know how to manage their money.. Guess the Government is next! Yay.. less money in my pocket 🙂

Robert IrvinJanuary 29, 2009 at 11:24 am

Tax breaks…stimulus checks…HOW ABOUT STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS! More than half the people in this country are suffering from having to pay huge student loan notes.(700 on up)
It’s in our nature as human beings tospend. If we’re not sending 700 dollars a month to Sallie Mae, we could put that money back into the economy!

The government has to grow a pair and make companies like Sallie Mae stop raping people who just want to be educated. I could receive a $2000 stimulus, that doesn’t mean I’m going to spend it. That money would go straight to my savings. I need it there. Although I could definately use a new car…can’t afford it.

Meanwhile, Salie mae continues to get richer. Help us America…And we’ll help the struggling economy.

Jumping AlJanuary 29, 2009 at 5:31 pm

It’s fairly simple. Our government (congress) set us up for a big fall with the use of fannie mae and freddie mac.making them lend out loans to people who have no reason to be carrying any more or any debt exploded the problem with the housing market.Now in a attempt to fix their mistake they took our money and threw it at the same businesses that got us in the situation we are in (banks).when, surprisingly, that did nothing the only altrnative is to give the money back to the consumers (where it should have been all along) in the hopes we will use the money more efficiently then they did (as in pay bills,house payments,pay off loans).unfortunately the let us get in such a hole even that may not help enough to drag us out without additional help.

Flat Tax=most help available

NiteoulJanuary 30, 2009 at 11:39 pm

This so-called Stimulus bill is nothing but a smoke in mirrors and actually just another giant power grab. There are provisions in there for increasing Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIPS (for children already covered). Every govt. department is getting millions in additional funding (oh yeah more govt. spending will sure help the economy!) and of course there’s tons of pork that once again HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH STIMULATING THE ECONOMY in there:
$1 billion for Amtrak – a money pit that still can’t run on time or full – bring back the smoking cars
$2 billion for child care subsidies – federal control for an early age
$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts – government has ruined the arts
$400 million for global warming research – better to research the coming ice age
$2.5 billion for clean coal – private business could do this for less and faster
$650 million for even more digital TV conversion coupons – 5 years lead up, so postpone and raise cost
$600 million for new government cars – won’t save Detroit from Washington
$7 billion for modernizing federal buildings – tear down half of them for new business
$150 million for the Smithsonian – government shouldn’t be in there
$54 billion for Economic Office and Small Business Administration programs – what a waste and both proven failures
Then too, the bill will place the federal bureaucracy in charge, not parents and local school boards, of our children’s education. “The New York Times reports today, the bill will “profoundly change the federal government’s role in education, which has traditionally been the responsibility of state and local government.”” Still think this is a good idea?

Want to really stimulate the economy? Here’s how:
1) Remove the currency laws that forbid competing commodity backed (gold or silver) currencies to restore confidence in our monetary system.
2) Abolish the Federal Reserve, the IRS and the Income Tax — they are neither Federal nor Constitutional, and do nothing but create the worst kind of tax — INFLATION!
3)Return to year 2000 level spending and kill every dept. in govt. not authorized by the Constitution — let the states deal with issues like Education and Welfare (or better yet, just get rid of them entirely as private charities do better (i.e. Red Cross at Katrina)). The Federal Government’s only role is to defend our individual liberties — PERIOD!
4)Eliminate the Capital Gaines, Estate, and any other tax not authorized by the Constitution.

You see we already have the best Stimulus bill. It’s called the US Constitution. READ IT!!!!

kity katFebruary 1, 2009 at 5:39 pm

I agree that a tax-cut or a stimulus check this small , will do NOTHING to help the economy!! However, I don’t agree that eliminating income taxes altogether (Niteoul) will help either. I agree with Bill…the only way to stimulate the economy is to create jobs for the unemployed and underemployed. Yes, that will mean putting billions into infrastructure and for those of us who are suffering the most during these hard times…it doesn’t sound like it will help anything, but it will in the long run!!
I also agree with Robert, forgive the student loans or at the very least help get rid of some of the balance. For those who would like to return to school, so obtaining a job looks somewhat more promising, it would be nice to not worry about having to add more to their student loan balance. I can’t imagine taking out yet another loan to finish school when I’ve already got such a huge loan balance now…and God knows that certainly wouldn’t help anyone else either considering the shape the economy is in, so what good is increasing the college tuition credit when no one can afford college tuition right now?
Being personally affected by this…I have quite a bit of insight regarding how hard it is to survive right now. I know many people have lost money from IRA’s and other funds; but it’s difficult to understand how anyone in that situation can compare hard times to those who have lost their job due to layoffs, had their spouses also without a job at the same time and then attempt to pay the bills they acquired while having 2 good incomes (and by bills I don’t mean an obscene amount of credit that was extended due to poor banking…I just means basic means of living). Savings only last so long before you have to start dipping in to retirement and/or borrowing money that you can’t pay back. If I could find a job right now, and my husband was making the amount of money he was before being laid off a year ago….I would stimulate the hell out of the economy; fix-up my house, maybe plan a vacation and wow, stock prices are low…I may just invest in some new stock!!
It all seems really simple to me, why our government leaders have to make it so complicated is difficult to understand. Wanting to attach stipulations or hidden tax breaks to make one party or the other happy is ridiculous and irresponsible; this is truly the time for this counties leaders to listen to the little people and be bipartisan.

AndyFebruary 2, 2009 at 9:52 am

Great summary here SVB. I wrote a piece on the stimulus as well (referenced your’s here) and it is amazing to see the amount of feedback on this topic and the way people are eagerly awaiting the funds. $1000 is not a life changer and I hope people realize that the government cannot just keep doling out money. At some stage (higher taxes, lower SS) we will have to pay all this back.

colleenFebruary 3, 2009 at 2:13 pm

i just want to know if we will get a stimulus check for 09. Cut the crap and let us know.

Here’s what I’ve gathered: the closest you’ll get to a stimulus check is a stimulus tax cut.

What you’re waiting for from the government is not a stimulus check but rather a tax credit that is equivalent to 6.2% of your income or $500 ($1,000 for families) – whichever is less.

The media reports that the proposal involves possibly lowering the tax rate from 25% to 15%, or offering a $500 tax cut in payroll taxes for individuals ($1,000 for families) on the first $8,100 in income.

It doesn’t seem that we’ll get a real check, but some other form of financial relief through our tax system.

susan carmenFebruary 4, 2009 at 8:25 pm

i would like to say this i thank President Obama for helping the disabled and i thank him for the extra money that we are getting he is a godd feller and a nice man i am from Ky but i live in Newark New Jersey i am a disabled lady who has to have a live in aide and i have confidence that he will be a great President if we all give him a chance he knows what he is doing thank you, Susan M. Carmen

scottFebruary 6, 2009 at 12:42 pm

short and sweet…i think the gov’t should give the citizens of the US a stimulus check of say $5,000 or so…the people are the ones that would stimulate the economy by taking this money and spending it there fore putting it back into the economy….

JasonFebruary 6, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Everyone keep talking about Them giving us a tax cut of 500-1000 on our paychecks. Are they too stupid to realize up there in Washington that half the people in the US aren’t getting paychecks anymore because they are JOB LESS !!!! DUH

BretFebruary 7, 2009 at 11:35 am

President Obama’s tax cut stimulus is very similar to what President Clinton did at the beginning of his term and it was pretty effective in pulling us out of the ’90s recession.

For those concerned with job losses, Ronald Reagan sparked the economy by cutting taxes on businesses, which created a lot of jobs. Everyboday used to laugh at Reaganomics, but it was the most effective turn-around in the economy I have whitnessed in my lifetime.

Here is a quote from the man:

“The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.” – Ronald Reagan

Handing out checks has never fixed the economy and it never will.

President Obama is definitely on the right track with targeted tax cuts to create jobs and stimulate the economy. But, it will take a while to work.

new2009February 8, 2009 at 7:12 pm

why are they still calling him Mr. Obama he is the PRESIDENT. I think the only reason why anyone is still calling him “mr.” is only because he is BLACK, but BUSH is still called PRESIDENT and he f’d up everything. I think you all are not giving the man any respect because you think he is going to pay us back for what our ancestors did to his people, lol the man is the PRESIDENT grow up and move on racisim needs to END.

I am a white person and no i do not have a best friend that is black and no i do not have any mixed kids but i do know its time for a change and about the stimulus checks for 2009 I think PRESIDENT Obama is trying to get this country in order instead of just handing out money. Maybe next year we may get it.

Last year’s rebate checks were saved at too high a rate to give an immediate boost to the economy, so they’ve been dropped from the current stimulus package and replaced by… nothing. Some argue that tax cuts will help as a short-term boost, but as a small-business owner, I know that my ability to pay next month’s rent depends on consumer demand now, not reduced taxes later.

This doesn’t aim to replace infrastructure improvement or job creation programs, or any other wise systemic changes. But when your house is on fire, there are things to do even before installing sprinklers.

The 600,000 jobs lost last month represent only one sixth of the the total losses since the start of the recession. We need relief immediately, while all other plans take root. This is a strong tool we can put in the hands of every American right now, this week.

Barbara BorelliFebruary 10, 2009 at 4:29 pm

The President’s stimulus plan will not help us little people. How about the elderly on Social Security who paid taxes all their lives? Don’t they count? You don’t have to be an Einstein to realize giving all the money to the banks, auto dealers, etc. will not help the little people. Who has the money to go out and buy a car or buy a home? It makes a lot more sense to give the money to each family so they can turn around and put it back into the economy. Do you really think the big businesses are going to let loose of their stimulus check? Their checks will be spent on themselves. If the stimulus is “the people’s money” then give it to the people.

UNEMPLOYEDFebruary 11, 2009 at 10:48 am

I WORKED AT A GM DEALERSHIP—THEY WERE GIVEN 3 MILLION DOLLARS IN A GRANT. BUT THEY LAID ME OFF ANYWAYS.!!!!!!!

StephanieFebruary 11, 2009 at 9:29 pm

I don’t care, I don’t care! Please give us the stimulus check. Give us that and you can tax us you want especially if it’s a $2,500.00 check. I don’t think there’s a single American that would object. I’ll spend it. Admittedly my check would go to paying off bills and boyfriend’s would go to…well. Fun. I want this check Obama. Please make it happen.

Sincerely,

A Hopeful American

StephanieFebruary 11, 2009 at 9:40 pm

Does anyone know if we are getting a stimulus check? I know I could certainly use it. All of us who worked through the year and dealt with annoying boss’ and co-workers who think their…@#!!…doesn’t stink. Sorry got off subject. Bottom line a stimulus check especially the amount I heard they were going to be $2,500.00 would be great. The government’s afraid we spend it?! Are they crazy? Pay off bills and do some shopping. They send out a check like that and I won’t mind being taxed more, because they made it worth my while. Come on Democratic and Republican Parties you know we want it. Republican’s get over it both parties have had some humiliation and some big idiots in charge but for once think about us the American people and give us something really good in this time of need. I’ll be keeping my finger’s crossed.

Sincerely,

A broke American

Juanita CrisostomoFebruary 12, 2009 at 8:21 am

President Obama; I’m unemployed, I do have a car but it’s being parked for 4months now. I’m not receiving any public assistance other than living under HUD(Low-Cost Housing Assistance).
Nevertheless, I have to do Community Service due to the fact Federal Program HUD assured for tenant under Public Housing & Low-Cost Program, we need to give back to the Community our services. My disable son is receiving public assistance for food-stamps, and welfare that leaves me as an alternative caretaker.

Mr. Obama, am doing community service. At the same time aid to my son and give him more attention needed, than to serve time for the community. The Economy is terrible and I wish it takes us back 1960.

Juanita CrisostomoFebruary 12, 2009 at 8:43 am

Bottom line a stimulus check especially the amount I heard they were giving away to be $2,500.00 would be great. The government’s afraid we spend it?! Are they crazy? Pay off bills and do some grocery shopping. They send out a check like that and I won’t mind being taxed more, because they made it worth my while. Send me the Stimulus Check, right away & I’m ready to buy the parts that my car needs for repairing. Mr. Obama, if you’re sure and generous to the Declaration Of Independant; then prove your statement to the people.

annette breauxFebruary 12, 2009 at 2:10 pm

i just want to know, what about the unemployed. i worked all last year, but am not working now. have been looking for work for about 6 weeks. so, you mean if we are unemployed, we get nothing. how fair is this. i paid my taxes.

bluezy_susieFebruary 12, 2009 at 2:52 pm

I’m in a couple of forums and this is what I recently wrote:
After the 61 to 37 vote in Senate, Mr. Obama continued his Ft.Myers Town Hall meeting with a question and answer session. Stimulus checks were mentioned at the Feb 10th Town Hall meeting in Ft Meyers!
A woman asked: “Is there any provisions in your stimulus package that actually will give back to the tax payers individually that we will all get STIMULUS CHECKS to jump start the economy and what provisions or what amounts are they actually looking at here?”
Obama immediately responded: ” Yes:! Yes! Here’s what we are looking at and this is actually a commitment I made during the campaign. I said that we had to change our tax system. Instead of giving all the TAX BREAKS to the wealthiest few, that we start giving TAX BREAKS to middle class families who are struggling to make ends meet. So, I made that commitment even before the crisis. So, in the package that we put forward, what we have is $1000 for working families. $1000 in additional IMMEDIATE TAX RELIEF that would start flowing right away. Uh, and uh uh so it would offset a lot of the payroll taxes that people are paying and that would be again- $1000 may not seem like alot to some…but I tell you what that if you’re making 30, 40 or 50 thousand dollars a year, having an extra 1000 dollars during some tight times, can really make a difference. So that is a central part of the package. We’ve also got some other TAX CUTS that are targeted at small businesses…because again they are under enormous pressure right now as business is declining. But, part of what I hope to do, is to show that by providing TAX CUTS directly to the middle class, that’s the best way to reinvigorate the economy when it comes to TAX CUTS. Not just giving TAX CUTS and expecting it all to trickle down. If you put it directly in the pockets of the people who need it, then they spend it. And when they spend it, that means the economy is moving. That’s what we are gonna try to do in this package. Alright?”
To hear it for your self I have a direct link below to Part 4 of the Feb. 10th Town Hall Meeting at Ft. Myers, Florida.
Never did he respond with check did you notice. However, the question was specific to getting checks and he responded with a double YES! I can’t get any info on it online so I call IRS direct. A friendly girl from Houston, TX told me it was too soon but her understanding is there is one more part the package had to go through. She said she was hoping on it because she wanted a check, too. Also, if you watched the entire FT. Myers meeting, you hear Mr. Obama say ‘two weeks’ alot. Let’s hope that there is not a political twist on that time period and it turns into “tweaks” instead and congress and senate in their last phase do not ‘tweak’ into non existence or at least less that the REAL STIMULUS IN HAND CHECK FROM IRS DIRECT (to be specific) that we received on our 2007 taxes! I already did and received my 2008. I remember last year waiting until June to get mine…what if we were to really get one is the time period IRS will be giving this year?

I somewhat disagree that giving breaks to college students won’t help. I think you’re assuming that every college student is in their late teens and early twenties. This is truly not the case.

I am a 31 year old stay at home mom that is attempting to finish my education. When I get my degree I will be working to pay off my student loans and then saving to put my children through college and then to buy a summer home – all purchases would be money put back into the US economy.

I have the benefit of having a husband that supports my family, but other mothers are going back because they are single moms looking to better themselves and provide a better life for their children. I have also seen many men back in school to get a better job.

With the tuition break you will see many, many more educated Americans that are able to put more money back into the economy. People that know the value of a dollar and won’t be wasting their money on the lead infested garbage that China ships here.

Will there be younger people wasting money going to college for no specific purpose? Absolutely. This would have happened regardless and is a moot point. 🙂

TroubleFebruary 13, 2009 at 2:20 am

Well all thats fine and dandy if you have a JOB but with so many with out a JOB I dont see this helping anything. We NEED JOBS!!! NO JOB NO HOUSE how many middle class people have to become homeless, destitute, and loose what we all thought we were saving for retirements. Money I now wish i had put into a CD. Bend over if you went born with money, Life is going to get very hard people will be living in scwarlers. Shity apartment after apartment. Long gone the dreams of owning your own home and land. people stacked up in places i thought i would only see in the movies back in the wars in other destitute countries will it all come to that.

bob bensonFebruary 13, 2009 at 9:51 am

The stimulus check proposal is a step in the right direction, but does it go far enough to help the people of our country to survive this economic disaster? The plan to give 400 to 800 is not a sound decision, this will do nothing to help the people who are being affected by the greedy wall street gangsters, who were responsible for this mess.

No in fact our government gave them billions so they can keep doing what caused this situation. Repuplicans should hang their heads in shame for totally looking out for their rich buddies. When will our government actually do something for the people. We elect people to serve in congress and senate who should be looking for ways to help the people. But as always they only think about their own selfish interests and screw the people.

This country was formed to help the people who were suffering under laws that didn’t allow any freedoms, to permit freedom of religion, speech, freedom to be all you can be. But now the government has made this country to evolve around only the special interests: the the very few (rich).

When will we be able to be what we set out to be, when will Washington open its eyes and start doing what they were elected to do. Does every proposal have to evolve around the rich? I think it’s time for the unions to exert themselves and help put this country back on track. The millions of jobs sent to all these countries so the rich get richer, let’s face it that’s the only thing behind all these jobs being lost. We’re giving the rich everything, well isn’t it time to start looking after our people and not their greed.

We the people need help and you are the ones that need to start thinking of ways to help our country get back on its feet. Put aside your greed and think about someone else for a change. The situation on wall street bailout was a total disgrace, our hard earned money just lined all the gangsters with huge bonuses and they went right back and, oh yeah that’s why our gas prices are going up again, wall street gluttony. Nothing else. It’s time the people take back the government and put it in in the direction to help our people.

I say the hell with all this foreign interests and put our people back to work. The housing situation, well here’s a suggestion: instead of putting all these families out in the streets maybe the banks should negotiate ways of lowering the mortgages thereby allowing the families to keep their homes. Do something to these banks that devised these arm mortgages that got us in trouble. We bailed out these also, and lo and behold they are going right back where they were before screwing the people. Why didn’t the government clean house of these executives who caused these problems and institute controls so this won’t go back to business as usual. Let’s talk about credit cards, do you realize that most of these were derived with the knowledge that the consumer will eventually miss a payment
and the credit card companies can pounce on them with these outrageous fees?

Now they are in the medical fields, and believe me when I say that the contracts are written in a way that most people will fail and bang 27.99%.enormous fees, and no plans that might help during this struggle. Not to mention that companies they are funding, like body solutions, american laser ,and aspen dental. They take advantage of the elderly, the poor, and the people who just don’t understand what they are signing up for. They lure them in with coupons and then pounce on them
and they have thousands of dollars to pay back to the companies that provide the financing, these companies know what is going on and won’t do anything about it. Why? Because it’s a money pit. Why can’t we just help each other through this situation, and why can’t the government just forget about its own interests and start working for our people.

UnemployedFebruary 14, 2009 at 7:51 am

Welcome to the new Russia Everyone. Our economy is going to fail. Our Government is also going to fail. I have no confidence that they are going to be able to pull us out of this horrible situation that we’re in. And Mr.Obama, You’ve already started weaving your web of lies.
So no Stimulus Check…but instead a Tax break..
You still have yet to explain how this helps the people who are jobless. Oh it’ll create jobs right? But not in everyones field of expertice. What about the people that cant do construction work?

You still have alot of un-answered questions with this horrible country that we live in. I’m in the Lower Middle Class, was a Construction worker. I made $11,500 last year and I live alone..From the IRS I got $221 on my taxes and nothing from the state. And then got laid off.

So things are going to get worse ladies and gentlemen. As I said before, Welcome to the New Russia. Get prepaired to fight for yourself instead of the Country we all O’So love.

SteakFebruary 15, 2009 at 1:54 pm

You guys are a bunch of crybabies. Just man up and stop blaming everyone in the world but yourselves. And run a freaking spell/grammar check for the love of god.

WHERE IS MY CHECKFebruary 16, 2009 at 6:07 pm

The reason we are not getting the “big check” this time is because when people got their grubby little fingers on that lump sum of money it was put towards a credit card payment, paying off a car loan, or put into savings.
In Obamas’ stimulus plan we don’t get a lump sum. The money spread that out over a year and get small amounts in our paychecks. The theory is we would be more likely to go out and spend it on dinner, a movie, or a new T-shirt (or whatever) rather than saving the few dollars . This will create the cash flow that we have been lacking. STIMULATING THE ECONOMY. Consumer confidence will let banks create more loans. Macroeconomics….go to college! (and you will get a 2500 check and not sound like an moron)

TO STEAKFebruary 17, 2009 at 9:07 am

‘steak’ … go get a life… ‘unemployed’ is right… i haven’t gone one day in my life without working and busting my ass and was jus laid off, and everything he said is pretty much true…

wait til you get laid off, you wont be eating ‘steak’ much longer , lol…

BobFebruary 18, 2009 at 8:43 pm

How about allowing people who have filed chapter 7 to discharge student loans FOR CRYING OUT LOUD? Other generations before have had that benefit or privilege. They used the savings to raise families and contribute to the economy in other ways. Today, we have a culture that says if you take a risk and invest in getting an education, you will pay it back no matter what. However, if you frivolously run up credit card debt on nonsense, well…that is okay…you can always file bankruptcy.

BTW, I filed bankruptcy, not because I could not handle the credit card debt, but because I cannot handle the student loan debt. Wiping out the credit cards at least helps a little bit. Now I have bad credit and still have 170k in student loans. Excuse me, but wasn’t a founding principle of this country the idea that one should not become an indentured servant and wasn’t the idea of bankruptcy to give people a fresh start? Okay, so if I file bankruptcy on student loans ultimately someone is out 170k, but that money would go back into the economy in some way. I could buy a car, maybe buy a house someday, maybe save for retirement. Even if all I did was stick it in the bank it would provide banks money to lend.

Let us get some sanity back and not punish people for taking a chance on an education! How can we tell people that education is the key when society punishes them for getting an education. Now, if you happen to be a lucky one who picked the perfect major, graduated at the right time, found a good job…then yea, you should pay it back. But for those experiencing financial hardship lift this burden and allow people to get back on their financial feet.

AMBERFebruary 23, 2009 at 2:26 pm

I hope it works but I have some concerns in other areas.

They are going to raise Food Stamps, Cash Assistance, etc. I feel that is a huge mistake! IF I HAVE TO PEE TO GET A JOB…THEY SHOULD PEE TO COLLECT MY TAX MONEY! That would cut half the people getting assistance that don’t need it. IF YOU WANT TO LIVE OF YOUR CHILDRENS SUPPORT FROM THE OTHER PARENT…YOU SHOULD NOT GET ASSISTANCE! That would cut it in half again becuase they would have to get a job.

What’s left, only people whom are really struggling!

Sorry I can’t spell.

barbFebruary 23, 2009 at 4:32 pm

well when do we get those tax cuts.and how do i know if my disable son will be getting a one time check how do they know where to send it

I work for a living.February 24, 2009 at 5:25 pm

I pay my bills and just refinanced MY home and put $30,000 in the bank. Man up and become a responsible adult and stop looking for a handout.

stanley weberFebruary 25, 2009 at 12:23 pm

why should people on social security get a check this year; they got one last year too so why can’t we get one too.

RobFebruary 25, 2009 at 11:19 pm

I think we shall all live off the land and hunt for our food!!!

RobFebruary 25, 2009 at 11:21 pm

So does this mean that I might see a 10-50/month raise on my check? Yea, like I’m gonna spend those large bucks!

marciaFebruary 26, 2009 at 3:14 am

i think its not right to get are hopes up for a check will never see my husband is on ssd. were trying to get by now its hard .dont tell us were getting something and were not. i dont think its right. we live on 1,ooo a month. thats not alot.

SteveFebruary 26, 2009 at 12:35 pm

I feel that the way Obama is going about this wii hurt the people and businesses even more so than just giving out checks to the American people. Like myself a little 8.00 extra a week doesn’t help me out when I have a wife and 3 kids to support. We live on 1,300 a month and our bills are double that so don’t LIE to American’s and say they will get a check when they are not. I guess people will say anything to get into office and don’t care who they screw over. They need to increase they amount of money that people make to qualify for food stamps because people don’t live on what they make before takes and that’s what they always go by. WE DONT QUALIFY AND WE NEED THE HELP.

To KewlMarch 2, 2009 at 10:33 pm

I feel OBAMA is doing all he can, but we need that check and needs to give it and stop giving all this money to these car companies to make cars we can’t buy……

Aimee HuntMarch 3, 2009 at 3:58 pm

I think that this is all crap. I am unemployed and my husband works his ass off working 40 hours a week and barley brings anything home. The welfare system sucks. They go by your gross not your net. HELLO you don’t bring your gross home so why the hell does the system go by what you make not what you bring home. This economy really SUCKS. I think that we Americans deserve getting the money that we were told was on its way!

jay jesbergerMarch 5, 2009 at 2:11 am

It is truly appalling to watch as my hard earned money goes to derelics and freeloaders living on welfare, accessing SSI just because they are too lazy to work, receiving assistance for groceries and any other form of help so they can shine a seat with their fat asses!! I have worked for 28 years and now that the economy is down I am worried about keeping what I have. There is no assistance for me because “I make too much” even though my wife has not worked for over a year and my savings are gone. They told me that I should sell my car and get a beater, put my house up for sale and then when that money runs out then they will help me. I say Thanks for nothing America, once again the government fat cats get fatter while the lower class gets the help and the middle class gets the shaft. 13.00 extra in my check does nothing, first time home buyer tax break does nothing, energy efficient break does nothing when I cannot even get approved for credit to buy the damn stuff. I agree that a better plan is needed that does something more that pass on idle promises of help. Nothing that the stimulus package stands for gives me more than bread and water. I bet I am not alone in this belief so stand up and shout America–be heard!! Yell it out to your congressman–“Don’t just stand there– Do Something!!! Make me believe again that this country is worth staying in. Thats all I have to say.

anoyyedMarch 5, 2009 at 7:41 am

This is bull they give all the money to big corps that ready to screw there workers or the ones they got rid of they will not genarate this to there workers or create new jobs corps are to stingy . The american worker is the ones that hold this econemy together. We are the ones who should have got a big portion of that stimulus. They will see what will happen. It will only get worse. 3mill to car companys and still laid off people there is the example right there. Lay off more workers then there is nothing to rejuvinate the rediculous stimulus Package way to go. that extra 400 a year well that was spent long ago if he gets to keep his job. Thanks but no thanks.

anoyyedMarch 5, 2009 at 7:53 am

Like to add thank you for taking away my hope. And shattering everything i had hoped for. I assume we will have more depressed people this year. I already seen on tv they didnt like what the american people would do with our own money and we are not responsable they didnt even want to give us anything. I guess this way is got the plan out quicker. what a fight for us americans i feel so worried. Well its not like our government has never screwed us before i guess we should just all take a deep breath and sweep this one under the carpet with everything else.

denise rendlemanMarch 6, 2009 at 3:38 am

when will president obama’s stimulus checks go out to middle class families?

ShellyMarch 16, 2009 at 9:45 am

I say give us poor people more money. We spend it like crazy. I don’t know who they gave money to last year but I can tell you everyone I know in this small town in Louisiana spent every cent of their stimulus. They didn’t even think twice to put it into a savings anything. I’m a single mother of 3 and struggle like crazy to make it on my measly $8.50 per hour.

AnneMarch 16, 2009 at 11:28 pm

Teachers in Texas at the elementary and college level do not participate (by force of Texas educational systems) in social security witholdings. Instead their holdings go to a retirement fund that is invested, much like a 401 K. They will likely lose their withholdings in the market at the hands of the government and they won’t get to keep the extra 10 or so dollars per check that is prescribed by the new Stimulus plan. How is that rewarding educators and supporting/promoting education? They would get their stimulus money if they worked elsewhere… OR if it had been sent out in a check. Who cares if they spend it on foreign electronics….. when we pump money into other countries trade systems they put money into ours because they become dependant on us- that’s why other countries are all so concerned with our success and failures in the markets. Take a look at shipping companies if you don’t believe it. So save up your ten dollars a month, thank a TEXAS teacher because they don’t get that money, and buy the d*** TV, it may not be made in America but you wont find one that is.

Fed UpMarch 18, 2009 at 11:32 am

Way to go ” I work for a living”. That’s great for you, but what about those of us that don’t have that luxury due to the company we work for going down the drain with the rest of the economy. Have you had to try to look for a job lately? If you’re not in health care… good luck. Those of us that are in that situation are just supposed to sit idly by while the big corporations and the people who have money keep living their lifes and we lose everything and can’t afford to eat? GOOD FOR YOU! You haven’t been effected. I think you should take a look around you and see just how many people are suffering. How dare you speak for those of us that are doing the best we can to rebound from the sad state that our government has left us in. I hope you loose everything tomorrow. Maybe then you won’t sit so high up on your pedestal.

MarcyMarch 18, 2009 at 12:26 pm

Its Sad that a promise of a second stimulus check to help the people that are stugling to pay bills buy food and take care of their family, now are disapointed because even if its $5 to $13 dollars more on your pay check trust me you wont see it, So I say give the second dtimulus check because itis needed. Also it oes not look good to disapoint the people who put the president where he is today. What happen to “We the people” did it get lost?

not your businessMarch 18, 2009 at 10:11 pm

my thought is the goverment has basically given free money to AIG and who is to say that it may go under , then what, we the american people have not gane from this mistake who is loser , well let me tell you its not the CEO of AIG . If anything the american people should get a nother stimulas check of $20,000.00 for each working american family. The funds would be divided in 4 installment every 4 th quarter . then we should not ask for any more. those who do not work should only receive $ 4000.00 dollars. just remember we are the people of this great nation and we all should work to gether .

Allen BelgardeMarch 22, 2009 at 12:16 pm

The government botch up when they bail out the businesses. They were going down, and they should have let them. Basically they should have given the people some of the money to help the economy. By giving the people the money they would have shopped and paid bills and maybe even had enough to buy a car or house. The government was not thinking clearly at the time of course. This not Obama’s fault, it is actually George Bush fault. But the government should pass a second stimulus check but give the people a little more money to help out instead of $500.00 for singles and $1,000.00 for couple. This is something the government should think about.

Rhonda RodriguezMarch 24, 2009 at 7:40 pm

There are so many bailouts being made to keep company,s from shutting there door, but it is only buying time! If we the people do not get something more than tax cuts….the doors will eventually close! The Americans are suffering….no jobs, no stimulus checks, no break for college students and much much more. we are supposed to circulate money in the economy by spending what ever it is extra we get on out tax break. Wrong, most of us are barely making ends meet as it is. Where is ALL the money we were promised? What happened to the stimulus check we were promised? No one is truly benefiting from what we are receiving (long term). The (bailout money) should have been distributed among the US citizens! Then we would have had money to circulate in the economy and the businesses would have been fine and we the people would have been fine! the government really needs to take a better look around and re think what they are doing!

KathyMarch 25, 2009 at 4:07 pm

I think the elderly and disabled should be included in the stimulus and it appears they are no. No checks for Social Security recipients. I am also disgusted that my daughter, who is a college student also doesn’t qualify for a stimulus check, either this year or last year because she is a dependent on her father’s tax return. She is a working American as well as a full time college student and money is very tight for her since she can only work part time while going to college. Since she is over 18 she is also not a qualifying child for her father, so he also didn’t and won’t receive a stimulus payment for her. I don’t think this is right. I think that there should be stimulus checks and that EVERY AMERICAN should get one if they are over 18 or if they are a child their parents should get one for them and if the check was big enough, maybe $1000 then maybe it would help some of the newly unemployed to make one more mortgage payment until they can get another job or maybe refinance or something. Americans are hurting, but all of the money goes to the big guys. Some of it is good like investing in renewable energy, education and infrastructure. Our country really needs this, but they should stop handing out all of this money to the big finance and wall street people without strict guidelines as to how it can be spent. They go off with their big bonuses after ruining the financial system and causing all of this pain. I would like to say though, that I think that President Obama is trying to do the best that he can with a difficult situation. He has inherited a huge national debt and deficit from the previous administration and worse yet this collapsing economy. He also has to deal with other politicians and what he can get through congress and the senate, so he is force to make compromises, whether he wants to or not. He has hit the ground running and is a very talented and smart man, but he has a lot to contend with. I just want ALL of these politicians to know that we are tired of you serving the rich and powerful and the corporations. I know that President Obama cares about ordinary Americans and now it is time for the rest of you to care about us also.

mrs janice jonesMarch 26, 2009 at 3:48 pm

I think everyone should get a stimulus check too. What if you are like me: I haven’t worked since katrina first because I was trying to help my husband get our life back together after losing everything we owned and then we found out that he was losing his sight. He can’t drive himself around anymore now. after RoadHome was supposed to help our life, it is even worse now. RoadHome only gave us $24,ooo dollars then turned around and gave 15,000 of that back to the SBA loan WE HAD. Leaving us to only get 9,000 out of that so we had to use all of my husband’s retirement to be able to get back in our home. We are still not all the way there after three years we still don’t have a way to get out our back door. We don’t have a back porch or money to build one so we have tried to apply to SBA for more money to help build one. I don’t think we are going to get anything more. Well thanks for listing anyway. janice jones

judieMarch 29, 2009 at 8:39 pm

The idea of paying through payrolls is make sense, but using it as “stimulus terms” is just a mental play. Yes we are giving you money but will deduced from you payroll but not ast 1 freebie check. Good thing is, now that people will see some extra money in their pay check and will spend/save accordingly. Downside is now that federal saying using the stimulus taxes deduction to help out the citizens, but some states wanting to increase our income taxes, gas taxes, and tolls. So, where’s my $40 extra money that Federal giving me? Generally speaking.. NOTHING! I get the same pay-checks or worse, less.
Governor, lower your pride and ask for help from the Federal, see CA? Asking people pay more money during this time of the year just not a right moment.

traceyApril 2, 2009 at 9:35 pm

honestly, i don’t think anybody knows what will work and what will not. tax cuts are nice but what about the lower class, those of us who have a college education and STILL make less than $10,000 a year? Where do all these tax cuts help us? If you are smart and claim ALL your dependants year round they barely take out taxes from your paycheck anyway, so i ask again, where does this help me? Another stimulus check, yes a lump sum of money at one time, is what we need. Look at the newspaper. I remember when seeing a property in foreclosure was so rare that if i saw it in the paper it was a really big deal, and you knew these people must really be going through some hard times or they either they couldn’t manage their money. Nowadays, it is just as common as reading the sports section. Hundreds of families are losing their homes daily! People who worked their entire lives and lived in these homes for 40 and 50 years or more ARE LOSING THEIR HOMES! People on fixed incomes, the one’s who don’t get a raise periodically. How about some mortgage breaks, not just first time homebuyers. You’d be crazy to buy a home right now anyway. The people who are not able to get out of the high mortgage they’ve been paying and suddenly find themselves unemployed or underemployed are the ones that need help. Help them to KEEP their homes by giving them some kind of break. Maybe require all lending companies to forfeit their profit, or a portion of it, if the loan is getting behind. Instead of beginning the foreclosure process, begin the HELPING process. My house went in foreclosure twice last year. My husband has been in business for himself for nearly 20 years and suddenly has become underemployed, and I want everyone to know how this process works, and the REAL reason they make it nearly impossible to get it out of foreclosure. (I praise God that we were able to save ours) Once your payment is a month behind, its gonna take two months to come up with the money (regardless of what any financial planner says u always pay your utility bill first) And when you have a $400 and $500 electric bill almost every month it pushes you that much more behind. Well by the time it is two months behind THEY WILL NOT YES I SAID THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT ONE PAYMENT, they will only take your money if you have enough to catch both BOTH payments up, so now you’re stuck coming up with two house payments at one time. If it gets to 3 months they send your account to an attorney who charges you around $2000 or $3000 to get your home out of foreclosure. Even if the attorney never receives the letter from your lending company, if the bank puts the letter in the mail and the same day you come in with all 3 payments, YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY THAT ATTORNEY FEE BEFORE YOU CAN GET YOUR HOUSE. so you see, the homeowners who already have a mortgage are the ones who need the breaks. It cost almost $6000 to save our home the first time and thankfully the second time our loan officer held up sending the letter off by a couple of days and it only cost half that to save our house. GIVE US THE HELP NOT FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS, THE HOMEOWNER’S NEED THE BREAKS. HELP US KEEP WHAT WE HAVE!

mandyApril 13, 2009 at 4:10 pm

wow it seems as though the only person w racism on their mind is you… some underlying issue there??

Rebecca KnappApril 15, 2009 at 1:54 pm

Well I think this Stimulus plan stinks. My husband is the only one in our household working right now. He got his first pay check with this new stimulus check plan with extra money be careful it is all lies there is no extra money they are taking more money out of your check my husband has lost over 100 dollars a pay check now. Before this he was bring home more money now he is bring home over 100 dollars less now so watch your checks.

TonyApril 24, 2009 at 8:04 am

new2009 –

You wrote: “why are they still calling him Mr. Obama he is the PRESIDENT. I think the only reason why anyone is still calling him “mr.” is only because he is BLACK…”

The 2008 AP Style Book writes:
“FULL NAMES: Use the first and family name on first reference to a current or former U.S. president or the president-elect: former President Jimmy Carter, President Barack … Read MoreObama, President-elect Barack Obama. On subsequent references, use only the last name.”

So technically, “Mr. Obama” is slightly MORE formal than AP Style calls for. If you’re reading out-of-context quotes and not the full articles, you’ll often not see the first reference of “President Obama” which is almost ALWAYS used.

Stop using racism as an excuse for anything/anyone you disagree with.

TonyApril 24, 2009 at 8:06 am

Tracy-

You wrote: “but what about the lower class, those of us who have a college education and STILL make less than $10,000 a year? Where do all these tax cuts help us?”

Take a closer look at the plan, then learn the difference between a “Tax Cut” and a “Tax Credit.” You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

PATRICIAApril 27, 2009 at 7:48 pm

Like rebecca knapp said in her comment, i have’nt seen a difference in my check either. It does seem like more is takin out than usual, like over 100 dollars. So what do they expect people to do to take care of there families! FOR THE PEOPLE MY !@#Z!

tiffanyMay 5, 2009 at 9:44 pm

I don’t think its fair that we the tax payers are only being offered a tax cut. We are struggling just as well as the elderly.What about those who have small kids with no decient income and high bills with the way the economy is going.Obama ,I think talked his way into office and did nothing he said he was going to do, all he did was make our life harder. There still aren’t jobs like talkin about it. Thanks alot OBAMA for nothing.

LORMay 19, 2009 at 9:15 am

thats nice if we had jobs but how would us people that are empolyed be able to benefit from all this tax cut…untop of that how are we going to make money when jobs are getting harder and harder to find these days….IF THIS IS WHAT WE GET FOR VOTING FOR A PRESIDENT THEN I AM NOT VOTING FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT

Stimulus CheckMay 29, 2009 at 11:15 am

it has been interesting to see how the ideas of what the stimulus check thing would should have been from the start and how it ended up. i think Obama just made a whole of the nation mad at him claiming “where is my stimulus check”.

Stacy WelchJuly 4, 2009 at 7:42 pm

I hate that they even think about given out stimulus checks again because when I received the last check from the government they took it right back out of my tax return and left me less than I was getting back. So they can shove the thought of doing that again. What needs to happen is that we need to invest in our own land instead of dealing with countries over seas and that none sense.

allaboutwelfareAugust 11, 2009 at 4:00 pm

Glad we can keep giving to welfare. HOMEOWNERS AND WORKING PEOPLE. It’s a big SCREW YOU. Welfare LIVES BETTER THAN THE WORKING PEOPLE WHO PUT THE MONEY IN FOR YOU TO LIVE. You’re welcome. Personally we need to stop helping the people on welfare live better than we do but that wont happen because of all the BLEEDING HEARTS. So while all of us working people struggle to live lets watch the welfare sit on their asses and collect and have everything handed to them.

susan carmenAugust 23, 2009 at 8:04 pm

i am a disabled person who can barely make it now. Why can’t we do a second stimulus check for the ones who are on social security and disability? We should get another one because we do not get enough money as it is to live on; we can only hope to just make it through the month.

lonnetteAugust 31, 2009 at 10:29 am

ok i personally think another stimulus check could really help. we do need the money with so many people out of work. and as for welfare trust me thats a lie that so much of our money goes into welfare. a very little amount of taxpayer money goes there. do u realize how much out of space research our government does? thats where most of your money is going. america has always lied to us about how much money they spend. have u seen the salaries of these damned congressmen? the bailout really showed us how much america cares about us the people. they dont give a damn. and as for president obama, he didnt create this mess so stop blaming him. bush did this to us. we need to get at least 3000 this year. and i don’t know what stacy was talking about but i got back the same amount from my taxes this year as last year i even got a little more.

williamSeptember 1, 2009 at 8:06 pm

i don’t agree with big cooperate bail outs. i don’t agree with the stimulus at all. i think that we the people should come together and rethink how are welfare system works for people who are struggling by teaching them how to grow food. And if they get welfare they should be made to take drug tests before they receive their checks. Then the economy might see a turn around. P.S. i’m working poor and making it ok.

Mr.Albert C, Lawrence Jr.October 19, 2009 at 2:35 am

How can a man like me get some of this stimulus money I been home for about two years trying to get my life back on track and get a job, but it’s hard too do anything without a car or a home to stay at. I’m living from family to friend always moving. I need help!!!!!

Travis LoizosJanuary 3, 2010 at 10:25 pm

Here is a great way to cut back spending and help the environment at the same time.

We need to get this all out there. There are many advantages of solar energy and solar energy benefits and very soon, it will be part of our every day lives. And soon everyone will be involved in some way with helping this cause. I am a strong advocate in anything green and also solar panels and wind powered energy.

WPBondsMarch 31, 2010 at 11:47 pm

I don’t really see the point of another stimulus plan. The first one didn’t work so why try again.

Home BenefitAugust 1, 2012 at 3:48 pm

Do they work? Kinda sorta not really. Is it a good idea to spend money the government doesn’t have? Not really.